TV News

He entered the season as a known favorite, a strong competitor that had already appeared in three previous seasons.

Yet Boston Rob Mariano still managed to work his charm and his schemes on Survivor: Redemption Island, winning the $1 million grand prize on last night's live finale.

Host Jeff Probst showered the veteran player with praise, saying Mariano played the game in “a style that would make any mob boss proud," while the man who loves to be an intimidating villain said:

"At the end of the day, it's about my wife and child. Ultimately I want to win so I can bring it home and they can have a better future."

Next season, Survivor heads to the South Pacific. Check out the official preview for the edition that kicks off this fall below.

Unless we're getting Punk'd, we now know who will be taking over for Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men.

Variety reports that Ashton Kutcher has signed on to the sitcom for the 2011-2012 season, with sources saying he'll receive a "huge payday" and creator Chuck Lorre has come up with a storyline for his character that satisfies CBS.

The news comes just a day after word spread that Hugh Grant almost accepted the role, and less than a week before CBS presents its upcoming schedule to advertisers in NYC.

Kutcher rose to fame on Fox's That '70s Show. Think he's a good fit for Two and a Half Men?

A new report says CBS came very close to crossing the Atlantic to find a replacement for Charlie Sheen.

Deadline Hollywood states that Two and a Half Men was oh so close to finalizing a deal with movie star Hugh Grant - for $1 million per episode - until the British actor pulled out due to "creative differences."

While Grant had never been mentioned previously as a replacement, he fits the stated goals of Chuck Lorre and company. He's a big name, he's a very different actor than Sheen.

CBS is hoping to find a new star for the sitcom by the time it presents its fall schedule in New York City next week.

Do you think Grant would have been right for a role on Two and a Half Men?

[Photo: WENN.com]

Might Charlie Sheen's entourage soon expand beyond porn stars?

Producer/creator Doug Ellin wants to pair the troubled actor with Vincent Chase and company, having already contacted the star to appear on the final season of Entourage.

"I called his manager and was told maybe I'd get him," Ellin told TV Guide. "But I'm still waiting for Charlie to call me back. I'd come up with something good."

New episodes of Entourage will conclude filming next month June, which would actually open up Jeremy Piven to replace Charlie on Two and a Half Men, if CBS so desires. Chimes in Ellin: "It would be feasible and they'd be lucky to have him."

[Photo: WENN.com]

It looks like Simon Cowell has fulfilled his dream judging panel for The X-Factor.

With producer L.A. Reid already on board, Deadline Hollywood reports that Paula Abdul and Cheryl Cole are nearing deals to finalize their roles on the upcoming singing competition.

Both have worked with Cowell in the past; Abdul on American Idol and Cole on the British version of The X-Factor.

“I’ve always wanted Paula," Simon told the publication. "I’ve never found anyone better than her... We’ve agreed that we would meet as many people as possible, and now we’re reaching the deadline we’ve got to make the decision soon. But I think she’s got a really good shot.”

As for Cole? “Shes a great judge. She’s smart... If people take to her like the British public did, I think she’s going to do really well in America. And Fox was desperate to hire her."

Well, yeah. The X-Factor champion will receive $5 million, along with the chance to ogle Cole for numerous weeks on the show.

The future of soap operas is officially bleaker than that of Lindsay Lohan's movie career, following the decision by ABC yesterday to cancel One Life to Live and All My Children.

The daytime dramas were on the air for 43 years and 40 years, respectively, and will be replaced by a pair of horrifically-named talk shows: The Chew, featuring Mario Batali; and The Revolution, starring Tim Gunn.

ABC's Daytime President, Brian Frons, justified the move by saying "we are taking this bold step to expand our business because viewers are looking for different types of programming these days."

The most famous star on either show, Susan Lucci, responded to the news thusly: "It's been a fantastic journey. I loved playing Erica Kane and working with [show creator] Agnes Nixon and all the incredible people involved with All My Children. I'm looking forward to all kinds of new and exciting opportunities."

One Life to Live will go off the air in January, three months after All My Children's final episode in September.

During his tour stops around the country, Charlie Sheen has made it clear: he wants to return to Two and a Half Men, even telling a crowd in NYC that he'd be willing to write an apology to Chuck Lorre.

There's just one problem: Warner Brothers does not want the actor back, and it's sick of him implying there's any possibility of the company reuniting with the star.

Will viewers ever see Charlie Harper again?

Warner Brothers has actually sent a letter to Sheen's lawyer that says Charlie's "statements" about negotiating for a return "are false." It adds:

"As you know, there have been no discussions, there are no discussions and there will be no discussions, regarding his returning to or having any involvement with the series."

What will The Today Show look like without Matt Lauer and his impressive middle-aged body? Viewers will find out in 2013.

A source tells Entertainment Tonight the journalist will exit the morning series when his deal expires on December 31, 2012. He has served as co-anchor since 1997.

This report follows other shake-ups at the network: insiders claim Meredith Vieira will also depart Today in September, while Katie Couric will soon leave as anchor of the CBS Evening News.

Expect all three to be seriously hot commodities once their deals expire.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Controversial Fox News personality Glenn Beck has announced he will "transition off his daily program" on the network at an undetermined point later this year.

He will instead focus on developing other projects for the network.

Beck and Fox News released a joint statement regarding the decision, saying the final episode of Beck's show, titled Glenn Beck, will air "later this year."

Beck and Fox have not revealed the air date for the final episode.

The statement explains Beck and Fox News "will work together to develop and produce a variety of television projects for air on the FOX News Channel as well as content for other platforms including FOX News' digital properties."

Beck did not indicate if this decision was at all prompted by a sign from God. Speaking of such signs, how about that Japanese earthquake/tsunami! Wild.

Is there anything hotter than that sexy lady who knows her Star Wars from her Star Trek, or when that bespectacled hunk cracks an encrypted database?

Okay, maybe, but in an entertainment world full of alpha males and femme fatales, the nerdy guys and gals who make geek look chic offer a nice balance!

So who's TV's hottest nerd? Our friends at TV Fanatic selected 10 characters from some of TV's most popular shows and leaves the coronation to YOU.

Follow the link HERE or click the pic below to vote!